Mechanical Trades Certification Program
Electrical | Plumbing | Heating and Air Gas Fitting | Sheet Metal | Pipefitting
1411 Gervais Street | PO Box 12109 Columbia, SC 29211-2109 Phone: 803.933.1209 | Fax: 803.933.1299 [email protected] www.masc.sc
August 2020 Mechanical Trades Certification Program
Since 1965, the Municipal Association of South Carolina has provided an examination and certification program for master and journeyman tradesmen in the electrical, plumbing, heating and air, sheet metal, pipefitting and gas fitting fields. The ertification may be used as an indication of skill level in South Carolina cities that require trades certification before issuing licenses and permits.
This certification should not be confused with the South Carolina Contractors Licensing Board licenses. PSI (800.733.9267) administers the examinations for the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. The Board requires licensing by examination or waiver for contractors bidding on a commercial job in excess of $5,000. It will waive its examination requirements for holders of the aster electrician and master plumber certifications if the candidate passed examination after December 1990. For candidates who pass the A mechanical examination after September 7, 2013, the Board will also waive its requirements for packaged equipment and air conditioning systems exams.
certifications also should not be confused with the S.C. Residentia Contractors License. The Commission will waive its examination requirements for electrical and plumbing licenses if a tradesman already holds an Association master certification card in the appropriate trade.
A tradesman interested in either of the above licenses should contact the appropriate agency listed below.
SC Dept of Labor, Licensing & Regulation SC Residential Builders Commission (Contractors Licensing Board) 110 Centerview Drive, Suite 306 110 Centerview Drive, Suite 102 PO Box 11329 PO Box 11329 Columbia, SC 29211-1329 Columbia, SC 29211-1329 Phone: 803.896.4696 Phone: 803.896.4686
For those that hold a South Carolina Mechanical Contractors license, call 803.933.1209 for reciprocal license information.
Exam Process Applicants must submit a completed application to the Municipal Association along with the $25 application fee. Upon approval, the Association will forward an approval notification to Prov, the contracted examination provider for the Municipal Association of South Carolina. Prov will contact the candidate by email or phone to arrange a test date. Applicants schedule their own examination date and pay a $100 examination fee directly to Prov.
Candidates qualified to take the exam but those who failed the exam or never took it are not required to file a new application but must remit the $25 application fee to retest.
Prov is an examination service which prepares, schedules, proctors and grades all examinations for the Municipal Association. (See Prov information on page 7.)
Upon passing the exam, the Municipal Association will issue the appropriate certification card.
Certification Renewal The Municipal Association will send a renewal notification 60 days prior to the certification ation date. Journeyman certification can be renewed annually for $20. Master certification can be renewed every two years for $50.
1 Cancellation Policy A candidate who is a "no-show" at a scheduled exam forfeits his application fee and must remit the $25 application fee before being rescheduled for a future exam.
For Additional Information Municipal Association of SC Prov, Inc. 1411 Gervais Street (29201) 5200 NW 43rd St, Suite 102-167 PO Box 12109 Gainesville, FL 32606 Columbia, SC 29211 866.720.7768 (toll free) 803.933.1209 877.228.3926 (fax) Email: [email protected] www.provexam.com www.masc.sc
Municipal Association of SC Application Process
The applicant must submit a completed application to the Municipal Association of South Carolina. If any information is missing, the Association will return the application for completion.
1. Fill out the application completely. The application must be signed and dated. The Association requires the last four digits of an a to use as an identification number. After passing the exam, the certification card number is For examination identification, Prov will issue a randomly generated voucher number for the candidate.
2. The $25 application fee must accompany the completed application. Make checks payable to the Municipal Association of SC. (Only company and personal checks and money orders are accepted.)
3. Document experience by attaching letters(s) from present/previous employer(s). For journeyman testing, submit documentation of two full years of experience. Completion of a two-year degree from an accredited technical college can be counted as one year of experience. For master testing, an applicant must be a journeyman and submit documentation of four full years of experience. If an applicant can submit documentation for ten years of experience in the trade, the journeyman requirement can be waived.
This documentation is in addition to information supplied on the application. Failure to submit this documentation will delay approval of your application. Keep a copy of letter(s) for your files. The Association does not maintain copies of these letters indefinitely.
Do not submit resumes or W-2 forms to document experience. Technical training is considered a qualifying factor in addition to on-the-job experience as stated above. The full amount of on-the-job experience must be documented to qualify.
4. Copies of certification cards or licenses issued by any municipality, county or state must be attached to application. (See application for details.)
After the application is processed (allow up to two weeks for processing), the candidate will receive an approval email or letter to schedule an appointment with Prov to take the exam.
2 Prov Scheduling Process
Once approved by the Municipal Association of SC to schedule an exam, Prov will contact the candidate to register and accept payment for the approved examination(s) and provide a voucher number needed for the exam(s). A list of reference materials allowed to be used during the test will also be provided. Prov will send a receipt for payment.
When scheduling an exam appointment, the candidate will be asked for the voucher number provided in the email from Prov. Payment to Prov is also due at this time. If the candidate fails to appear for the exam, the exam fee is forfeited and the candidate must register again with Prov. Prov can be contacted at 866.720.7768.
If the applicant fails the exam, a new application is not required, but the $25 application fee must be resubmitted to the Municipal Association of SC. The applicant can return a copy of the test results letter from Prov, along with the $25 application fee. Registration with Prov will be processed using the same procedure as the original application. The Association does not keep applications on file indefinitely. If an applicant does not reschedule within a two-year period, he must submit a new application to take the exam.
For any questions concerning the application, call the Municipal Association at 803.933.1209. For questions concerning scheduling, call Prov at 866.720.7768.
Special Notes
Submit applications as early as possible prior to an exam.
All necessary information must be included with application. The Municipal Association will not call employers to verify experience, etc.
To overnight applications to the Municipal Association, use the street address: 1411 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
Sample Letter of Documentation from Employer (Please provide letter on your company s letterhead)
Municipal Association of South Carolina Municipal Trades Certification Program P O Box 12109 Columbia, SC 29211
To Whom It May Concern:
This is to certify that ______has been employed by this firm from ______to ______.
The applicant performed (please describe duties performed) while employed by this firm. The work described was supervised by ______who is a master/journeyman of the trade.
______Print Name and Title ______Signature
3 Reference Materials The Municipal Association does not sponsor any of the programs or suppliers listed below. This information is available to all applicants preparing for a Trades Certification exam.
Prov Provides practice examinations. (See page 6 of the Prov Candidate Information www.provexam.com 866.720.7768 Bulletin for book vendors.)
Horry Georgetown Technical College Preparatory classes for all exams, as available. 2050 Hwy 501, Conway, SC 29526 843.349.5363
Tom Henry's Code Electrical Seminars and study materials to help prepare for the Classes, Inc. & Bookstore electrician exams. Winter Park, Florida 800.642.2633 www.code-electrical.com
Midlands Technical College Occasionally offers trade related courses. Contact the Continuing Education www.midlandstech.edu/cce/ Division for information at 803.732.0432 or [email protected].
Piedmont Technical College For information regarding classes, call Bill Cockrell (HVAC) at 864.941.8473 or Greenwood, South Carolina 864.941.8465 for building construction. www.ptc.edu
Orangeburg-Calhoun Tech Electrical exam preparation. Call Sandra Moore at 803.535.1236. Orangeburg, South Carolina www.octech.edu
Greenville Technical College Electrical exam preparation. To register: 864.250.8800 Greenville, South Carolina Information: Larry Roberson: 864.250.8276 or [email protected]
Mike Holt Enterprises Electrical exam preparation - 888.632.2633 Fort Lauderdale, Florida www.mikeholt.com
Charleston Electrical Contractors Assoc Electrical exam preparation - Information: 843.323.6353 www.cecasc.org Email: [email protected]
Contractors Seminars, Inc. Courses for electrical, plumbing, heating and A/C, and EPA certifications 125 Contractors Way Suite D They work with you until you pass the exam. Contact Bill Ramsay 803.337.4444 or Ridgeway, South Carolina 29130 [email protected]. www.scexams.com
Florence Darlington Technical College Electrical and pipefitting exam preparation. Contact Amy McDaniel at 843.413.2715 2715 W Lucas Street Florence, SC 29501
Liberty Electric Inc. Provides extensive electrical training. Contact Von Phillips at [email protected] or 269.370.2981.
S&ME Plumbing exam preparation. Contact Michael Doles 301 Zima Park Drive at [email protected], [email protected] or 864.316.6013 Spartanburg, SC 29301
Tri-County Technical College Journeyman and master electrical exam preparation. PO Box 587 Pendleton, SC 29670 Contact Sandra Strickland 864.646.1700 or [email protected] www.tctc.edu/learn
4 Standard Examinations
Electrical Categories
1. Master Electrician has the knowledge and skill, to install, repair, alter, ad to or change any electrical wires, fixtures, appliances, apparatus, raceways, conduit or any part thereof; which generates, transmits, transforms or utilizes electrical energy in any form for light, hear, power or communications (inclusive of burglary and fire alarm systems), all in compliance with applicable plans, specifications, codes, laws and regulations. (four-hour exam)
2. Master Residential Electrician has the skills of a master electrician, as they apply to installations in one, two or three-family dwellings only. (three-hour exam)
3. Journeyman Electrician qualified to perform work in the electrical trades while employed or supervised by a master electrician. (three-hour exam)
4. Journeyman Electrician, Residential qualified to perform electrical work as it applies to installations in one, two or three-family dwellings only, while employed or supervised by a master electrician or residential master electrician. (three-hour exam)
Gas Categories
1. Master Gasfitter qualified to design, install, maintain, repair or extend gas piping, appliances, gas mains, lines, laterals, tanks and other appurtenances in connection therewith. (three-hour exam)
2. Journeyman Gasfitter qualified to install, maintain, repair, alter or extend gas piping, gas mains, lines, laterals, tanks, appliances and other appurtenances in connection therewith while employed or supervised by a master gas fitter or a gas contractor. (three-hour exam)
Mechanical (HARV) Categories
1. HARV (Master Mechanical) qualified to install, maintain, repair, alter or extend air conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilation systems, unlimited in horsepower or tons, including all duct systems, sheet metal, incinerators and all appurtenances, apparatus or equipment used in connection therewith, also piping, ductwork, insulation of piping, vessels and ducts. (four and a half-hour exam)
2. Journeyman Unlimited Air Conditioning qualified to install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter or extend air conditioning, refrigeration, piping vessels, warm air heating, low pressure boilers, ventilation systems, duct systems, insulation and related appurtenances within a complete system unlimited in horsepower and tonnage. Supervised by an air conditioning contractor or master. (three-hour exam)
3. Residential HVAC – qualified to perform residential HVAC work including A/C and heat pump equipment, LP and Natural Gas, including piping, fuel oil appliances and piping, ductwork and associated trades. (three hour exam)
Pipefitter Category
1. Journeyman Pipefitter qualified to layout, install, maintain, repair, and alter piping systems and related appurtenances that provide control of environmental conditions for air conditioning and manufacturing processes while being supervised by a pipefitting or mechanical contractor. (three-hour exam)
5 Plumbing Categories
1. Master Plumber has knowledge and skill to install, maintain, repair, alter or extend plumbing, sanitary drainage or storm drainage facilities, venting systems, public and private water supply systems, septic tanks, drainage and supply wells, swimming pool piping; irrigation systems; or solar heating water systems and all appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection therewith, including boilers and pressure process piping and including the installation of water and storm and sewer lines, water and sewer plants and substations. four-hour exam)
2. Journeyman Plumber qualified to perform work in the plumbing trades while employed or supervised by a master plumber. (three-hour exam)
3. Master Residential Plumber has the skills of a master plumber as it applies to installations in one and two-family dwellings and also multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories in height. (three-hour exam)
Sheet Metal Categories
1. Master Sheet Metal qualified and certified to manufacture, assemble, cast, cut, shape, stamp, forge, fabricate, weld, repair, recondition, adjust and install sheet and rolled metal of any kind or combination and all other materials used in lieu thereof, and including all air-veyor systems and air handling systems regardless of materials used including all equipment and all reinforcements in connection therewith. (three-hour exam)
2. Journeyman Sheet Metal qualified to fabricate, install, replace, repair, alter or extend ferrous and nonferrous ducting in ventilation and exhaust systems while employed or supervised by a sheet metal contractor. (three-hour exam)
EPA Certification
Heating and A/C applicants can call 1.800.296.1996 for information about EPA certification or email [email protected] and include contact name, name of organization, email address and telephone number.
Code Books
• HARV, gasfitter and sheet metal examinations are based on the International Mechanical Code 2015. Plumbing examinations are based on the International Plumbing Code 2015. Study information is sent with examination approval letters.
• All electrical examinations are based on the 2017 National Electrical Code.
• Candidate Information Bulletins for each examination can be found on the Prov website at www.provexam.com.
6 Trades Certification Quick Reference
Exam Scheduling Information Application and Program Information Prov, Inc. Municipal Association of SC 5200 NW 43rd St, Suite 102-167 1411 Gervais Street (29201) Gainesville, FL 32606 PO Box 12109 866.720.7768 (toll free) Columbia, SC 29211 877.228.3926 (fax) 803.933.1209 www.provexam.com Email: [email protected] www.masc.sc
Exams Offered HARV (Master Mechanical) Journeyman Electrician Journeyman Electrician Residential Journeyman Gasfitter Journeyman Pipefitter Journeyman Plumber Journeyman Sheet Metal Journeyman Unlimited A/C Master Electrician Master Gasfitter Master Plumber Master Residential Electrician Master Residential Plumber Master Sheet Metal Residential HVAC
Code Books • HARV, gasfitter and sheet metal examinations are based on the International Mechanical Code 2015. Plumbing examinations are based on the International Plumbing Code 2015. Study information is sent with examination approval letters.
• All electrical examinations are based on the 2017 National Electrical Code.
• Candidate Information Bulletins for each examination can be found on the Prov website at www.provexam.com.
7 Application for Certification Municipal Association of South Carolina 1411 Gervais Street | PO Box 12109 | Columbia, SC 29211 803. 933.1209 | FAX: 803.933.1299
Name Last First Middle I. Daytime Phone No. ( ) Mobile Phone No. ( )
Last Four Digits of Social Security Number ______
Email address
Address Street Address or PO Box City State Zip Education: (Circle highest grade completed) Grammar School 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 High School 9 10 11 12 College 1 2 3 4 Technical Schools Attended Degrees or Certificates Earned Dates Attended
(Copies of Degrees/Certificates must be attached to this application)
I hereby make application to the Municipal Association of SC for certification as (Check one)
HARV (Master Mechanical) Master Electrician Journeyman Electrician Master Gasfitter Journeyman Electrician Residential Master Plumber Journeyman Gasfitter Master Residential Electrician Journeyman Pipefitter Master Residential Plumber Journeyman Plumber Master Sheet Metal Journeyman Sheet Metal Residential HVAC Journeyman Unlimited A/C
Qualifications: 1. Candidates holding a trades certification card or license from a municipality or county can take the corresponding (journeyman or master) examination. 2. If an applicant does not hold a trades certification card or license, the following criteria applies. A. Journeyman - Applicant shall have a minimum of two years of full-time electrical/plumbing/gas/heating and air/sheet metal installation experience under the supervision of a journeyman or master of the trade. The employer must document this experience in writing, giving the specific dates of employment and a general description of the duties performed by the applicant. Formal, technical and vocational training by accredited training institutions may be considered as a qualifying factor. Completion of a two-year degree from an accredited technical college can be counted as one year of experience. B. Master - Applicant must be a certified journeyman and worked at least four years in the trade at least two years of which shall be under the supervision of a qualified master of the trade. The employer must document this experience in writing, giving the specific dates of employment and a general description of the duties performed by the applicant. If 10 years of experience in the trade can be documented, the journeyman requirement can be waived. C. Master residential plumber - Applicant must have four years of experience in the trade with at least two years under the supervision and control of a qualified master of the trade. The employer must document this experience in writing, giving the specific dates of employment and a general description of the duties performed by the applicant. 8 Present Employer Name of Company Address
Kind of Business Your Position
Dates of Employment: From To Name of Supervisor
Describe your Duties
2nd Last Employer Name of Company Address
Kind of Business Your Position
Dates of Employment: From To Name of Supervisor
Describe Your Duties
3rd Last Employer Name of Company Address
Kind of Business Your Position
Dates of Employment: From To Name of Supervisor
Describe Your Duties
List Trade Certification Cards or Licenses presently held.
1. ______Certification/License (journeyman or master) Exam Sponsor Card Number Date Issued 2. Certification/License (journeyman or master) Exam Sponsor Card Number Date Issued Copy of certifications and licenses must be attached to this application.
I hereby grant the Municipal Association of South Carolina permission to verify any information contained herein. I understand that any misrepresentation of facts will be just cause for the Municipal Association of South Carolina to reject the consideration of this application.
I acknowledge and agree as follows: (1) I will not represent to anyone that my Municipal Association of South Carolina trade certification card is evidence of a license to engage in any particular trade or business, or represents any evaluation by the Municipal Association of South Carolina or warranty of the quality of my services. (2) I will not represent to anyone that my Municipal Association of South Carolina trade certification card represents proof of U.S. citizenship or of lawful presence in the United States. (3) I will not display, reproduce, or use the Municipal Association of South Carolina logo without prior written authorization from the Municipal Association of South Carolina. The only generally authorized use of the Municipal Association of South Carolina logo is on the face of a validly issued Municipal Association of South Carolina trade certification card, complete with my signature and the required disclaimers appearing on the reverse side of the card.
Signature of Applicant Date
Include your check or money order in the amount of $25. The Municipal Association will not process the application unless it is signed and payment is included.
(Make check or money order payable to MASC) Personal and company checks are accepted Do not include any payment to Prov with this application.
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